A.u. 1141. BATTLE AT LINCOLN. 243 this moment thinking of flight, if the rugged nature of the spot would allow of it. Since then, it is not possible for them to fight or fly, what else have they done but, by the will of God, offer both themselves and their baggage unto you ? Accordingly, you see their horses, their arms, and their bodies subject to your determination. Lift up your hearts, therefore, and stretch forth your invincible right hands, ye warriors ! to receive with extreme joyousness that which God himself has presented to you." Already, before he had concluded his speech, the shouts of the enemy were heard, the clanging of clarions, the neighing of horses, the re-echoing of the ground. The troop of the proscribed which formed the van, charged the king's line, in which were earl Alan, the earl of Mellent, Hugh, earl of East Anglia, earl Simon, and the earl of Warrenne, with such fury, that instantly, in the twinkling of an eye, it was routed, and became divided into three parts ; some of them were slain, some taken prisoners, while some took to flight. The division which was commanded by the earl of Albemarle and William of Ypres charged the Welch, who were advancing on the flank, and put them to flight. But the troops of the earl of Chester attacked the body of the above-named earl, and, like the first line, it was scattered in an instant. All the king's knights took to flight, and with them William of Ypres,11 a native of Flanders, a man of the rank of an earl, and of great prowess. In consequence of this, king Stephen was left with his body of foot in the midst of the enemy. Accordingly, they surrounded the king's troops on every side, and assaulted them in every quarter, just in the way that an attack is made upon a fortified place. Then might you have seen a dreadful aspect of battle, on every quarter around the king's troops fire flashing from the meeting of swords and helmets,—a dreadful crash, a terrific clamour,—at which the hills re-echoed, the city walls resounded. With horses spurred on, they charged the king's troop, slew some, wounded others, and dragging some away, made them prisoners. Έο rest, no breathing-time was granted them, except in the quarter where stood that most valiant king, as the foe dreaded the incomparable 11 Roger of Wendover says that William of Ypres " and others, who couid not take to flight, were taken and thrown into prison." π 2